Jonesville Bakery celebrates anniversary on 'Fat Tuesday'

By Matt Durr

Monday

Feb 11, 2013 at 11:25 AMFeb 11, 2013 at 11:25 AM

matt.durr@hillsdale.netJONESVILLE — Anniversaries are supposed to be a time for celebration and reflection, much like birthdays. In the small-business world, they are an important milestone, marking another successful year. For Virgil and Laura Udzik, Tuesday marks their six-year anniversary as owners of the Jonesville Bakery and Laura’s birthday. But instead of sitting back to relax and enjoy the milestones, the Udziks will be dishing more than 1,000 paczkis, the Polish pastry that has widely become the face of “Fat Tuesday.”“I’ll probably get in here at eight in the morning and bake all day long, “ Virgil said. “i’ll be running around like a chicken with my head cut off.”Starting from scratch, Virgil will spend Monday preparing the doughy delights, making everyone of them by hand. Starting with making the dough, cutting it, filling the pastry and topping them off, none of the paczkis will be made outside of the bakery. Unlike many chain grocery stores, the Jonesville Bakery will only offer paczkis on Tuesday and once they’re sold out, there are no more.“I’m Polish, I only do it one day a year,” Virgil said. “That’s the traditional, not two or three weeks before. I could be making more and making more money, but I don’t have the time or space.”Paczki is a traditional Polish pastry that is deep fried and filled before being covered in a glaze or powdered sugar. “Fat Tuesday” is celebrated on the last Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, but originally the day was “Fat Thursday,” but over time the date has changed.Last year, the Udziks estimated that sold around 1,100 paczkis and this year will make 1,200 just be safe. They will be available in creme, custard, peanut butter, lemon, raspberry and plain.“It takes about five hours from start to finish (for each batch),” Virgil said, adding he will make at least five batches.In order to handle the rush, that sometimes stretches out the front door, family and friends volunteer their time to help with everything from serving customers, to helping Virgil in the kitchen as he makes the paczkis on Monday.Virgil learned how to make the Polish treats during his time at the Manchester Bakery in Jackson where he worked before he and Laura bought the bakery in Jonesville. Making the goods by hand and doing it the right way is a must for Virgil.“No matter what it is, I take pride in my work,” Virgil said.The bakery will be selling paczkis for $1.25 each or a $13.75 a dozen. The Jonesville Bakery is located at 243 E. Chicago, in Jonesville.

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